I was not focused in my game: Saina

Top seed Saina Nehwal said she somehow failed to focus on her game and was outpaced by her unfancied Chinese opponent in the semifinal match on Saturday.

Written by Press Trust of India

Read Time: 2 mins

New Delhi:

After crashing out of the Asian Badminton Championship here, top seed Saina Nehwal said she somehow failed to focus on her game and was outpaced by her unfancied Chinese opponent in the semifinal match on Saturday.

"She was very aggressive player and was faster on court. I was slow in the second game. She tossed the shuttle flat and her drives were faster. I tried to take the right strategy in the last game when I was 11-19 but with so many points down, it was too late. My foot work also let me down," Saina said after she lost 17-21 11-21 to Chinese qualifier Xuerui Li.

"Gopi sir (Pullela Gopichand) was telling me to slow down the game but I wasn't able to implement it in the court. I was rather trying to push for points and it didn't work. I wasn't focused. My mind was not in the court. I was not thinking that well," said Saina.

Asked if the noise made by the spectators distracted her, Saina said, "Sometimes it happens but pressure will always be there. I don't know why but I wasn't into the game. I was not even reaching for her shots."

Sania, however, was not too concerned of the loss as she said she improved her game in certain aspects.

"I have to work on areas like how to make my game slower and be more patient. I realised that after the match. But I am still very confident and there has been an improvement in my strokes and overall game. Compared to last year's finish, this year is still my best result," she added.

"There are many tournaments and I will win some of them surely if I keep on working on my game," she said.